Risk

Royal Bank of Scotland Group fell after the Times reported in London that the U.K. lender could pay at least $7.7 billion to resolve claims of misconduct in its handling of U.S. mortgage securities.

Take a look back at National Mortgage News' top stories of 2014.

Bank servicers have a compliance dilemma: they need to quickly shed mortgage-servicing rights ahead of Basel III at a time when regulators are keeping a close watch on the manner in which transfers are handled.

Ocwen Financial's settlement with New York regulators could have a negative impact on the cash flows of mortgage bonds heavily exposed to loans serviced by Ocwen in that state, according to Moody's Investors Service.

Incentives for companies aren't the same as incentives for people. The QRM risk-retention rule doesn't solve "IBG, YBG" — "I'll be gone, you'll be gone." Banks appear to have been slow to adopt clawback policies for individual lenders.

After 2014's sweeping reforms, which put huge strain on lenders' operations, 2015 may not look so bad. But big potential changes still loom

The guarantee fees collected by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could be used as a tool to moderate the boom and bust cycles in the housing market, according to a new report by a Treasury Department office.

Experian will now offer FICO credit scores through its direct-to-consumer products, the Costa Mesa, Calif.-based credit bureau announced today.

Data Facts Inc., a mortgage credit report and verification services provider based in Cordova, Tenn., has adopted AccountChek, a deposit verification service provided by FormFree.

The ongoing push for more robust loan data will continue in 2015, as market participants across the mortgage lifecycle adopt new regulatory requirements and take advantage of recent developments in paperless processing and self-service capabilities.

The government-sponsored enterprises' changes to their representations and warranties regulations could increase lending — and some risks. Here's the downside to the move and how lenders can mitigate related concerns.

The number of mortgages outstanding is down considerably from pre-recession levels but is starting to slowly increase. How much further it needs to go depends on certain public policy goals.

The government-sponsored enterprises' changes to their representations and warranties regulations could increase lending, or cause taxpayer losses related to GSE purchases of bad loans. Here's why advocates like the move.

Market participants are encouraged by the FHFA's move to ease repurchase requirements — which will likely result in a continued domination of the market by government agencies.

Investor confidence in Ocwen Financial was clearly shaken Monday after New York state regulators forced the firm's founder out as part of a $150 million settlement.

Payments on mortgages that have passed the 60-days-late mark have seen a "material drop" from their recession-era peak, but have not returned to "normal" levels yet. They're getting closer, though.

Trustees for mortgage bond investors asked a New York court to approve a $1.13 billion settlement reached in April with Citigroup Inc. as the bank seeks to resolve liabilities for loans it packaged and sold in the run-up to the 2008 financial crisis.

Ocwen Financial has agreed to pay $150 million to New York regulators to settle allegations that it fudged foreclosure documents and said Monday that its founder and, executive chairman, William Erbey is stepping down after 30 years with the Atlanta company.

Former Countrywide Financial Corp. executive Edward O'Donnell will get $57 million for his part in bringing a whistle-blower lawsuit against Bank of America Corp. which helped the U.S. force the lender to pay almost $16.7 billion to settle mortgage fraud charges.

Bank of America Corp. and US Bancorp were sued by the agency that oversees federal credit unions, which claimed the banks failed as trustees over securities backed by home mortgages that defaulted after the 2008 credit crisis.